Common Statement between Shared Knowledge and GLAM Macedonia

This is a joint common statement from both user groups from Macedonia, Shared Knowledge and GLAM Macedonia as an explanation and documentation about merging the two user groups and joining their activities.

Context

The reasons for the merger have existed for several years, with two groups operating in the same geographical area, and over the past several years, programme officers from WMF have been indicating to us that two affiliations in Macedonia is not the most practical and logical, given the possible scope in the region. In 2022, representatives of both groups (Shared Knowledge and GLAM Macedonia) at a meeting with their Program Officer in Ohrid, during the CEE Meeting, agreed that during 2023, negotiations and discussions on the best options to merge the two groups would begin.

Creation of Wikimedia MKD

In 2023, 4 representatives issued from both groups, met, negotiated, and started drafting the necessary documents. Mid-2023, because of the complexity of the matter, they hired a law firm to support the needs of the merger. Several meetings and assemblies were hold by the members of the both groups, in order to vote, and establish the base of the next activities under one entity instead of two.

Decisions were made about the name, structure, vision and future plans for the new NGO. Also, documents for the registration of the new NGO were prepared and submitted to the Macedonian State institutions. The new entity thus formed is legally called Wikimedia GMSZ MKD and known as Wikimedia MKD.

It is to be noted that several people from both groups opposed the merger and did not want to cooperate with people from the other group. As such, they decided on their own to not take part in the new group.

The new NGO started to take over activities from both Shared Knowledge and GLAM Macedonia under the entity Wikimedia MKD. The collective vision for Wikimedia MKD is to run mission-aligned initiatives and projects in order to promote the Wikimedia projects and the values of the Wikimedia movement on the territory of Macedonia.

Ask for derecognition of both Shared Knowledge and GLAM Macedonia

This common statement is a formal ask for derecognition of Shared Knowledge and GLAM Macedonia, in order to pave the way for Wikimedia MKD.

Ask for recognition for Wikimedia MKD

This letter also serves as a document accompanying the request for recognition of Wikimedia MKD as a User Group affiliate, to take place as soon as this derecognition of both User Groups will be acted.